Running Scared, page 6
“I sure do, Squirt. I sure do.”
*
“Well then, I’ll see you soon,” Kindergarten teacher Julie Reaper said to the four-year-old Sally.
“Kindy’s lots of fun, Uncle Gary,” Sally almost sang, as they walked away.
“I’ll just bet is it, Squirt.” He reached down to take her hand. “There’ll be lots of other kids for you to play with, too.”
“You and Julie seemed very friendly.” Emma wondered what the relationship between them had been.
“We went to school together. We’re great mates.” He shrugged, turning to face her. “You’re not jealous, are you?” he said with a chuckle.
“Don’t be ridiculous! God, Gary, you’re too vain for your own good!” She laughed, but inwardly was again annoyed that he could practically read her thoughts.
Gary swung Sally up into his arms.
“Come on, Squirt, into your booster seat.” He strapped her securely in with the belt.
“If you just run us home, I’ll pick up our things from your place later.” She was determined to get back home as quickly as possible. The longer she stayed with Gary, the harder it would be to leave.
“Listen, Em,” Gary began as he straightened up out of the car, “It’s not safe to stay there alone. We can pick up some more things, then it’s straight back to the farm.”
“No, damn you! You still don’t get it, do you?” she said under her breath, “I can’t let them get the better of me. I can’t allow them to rule my life.”
“Okay. A compromise then.” He lightly fingered her bottom lip as he spoke. “We’ll call in and pick up some gear for a few days...”
“But,”
“Hear me out,” he interrupted. “I’ll help you clean up the mess at the house...”
“But,”
He placed a finger across her lips.
“And we’ll try to find whatever it is they’re after while we’re at it.”
Emma nodded her acceptance, yet still had reservations. She seemed to be out of control of her life lately, but she acknowledged Gary seemed to be able to make rational decisions for her, and she certainly hadn’t been in a rational frame of mind for some time.
She breathed a huge sigh of relief as they turned into her driveway. “Home at last,” Emma thought, as she climbed out of the Cherokee.
Gary was about to turn the key in the lock when he heard it. “You and Sally stay here,” he commanded as he opened the door and took off into the house.
“But—”
Too late—he was gone.
Emma stood cemented to the spot, and as she heard the crashing of glass, a small shriek escaped her.
“Mummy, you’re hurting my hand,” a small voice complained.
Emma looked down to see Sally’s hand turning blue from the pressure she was absently exerting.
“Oh darling, I’m sorry.” She massaged the small hand, coaxing the circulation back.
“Em.”
She visibly jumped as Gary reached out and touched her shoulder. “I didn’t mean to scare you, sorry. Quickly grab some things, then we’re leaving.”
She looked up into his face, trying to decipher his expression.
“Was someone—?”
”Yeah, but not anymore.” He rubbed his hands over her back. “Come on, we’ve got to hurry, in case he comes back.”
“Sal, you wait in the car,” Emma ordered.
“No, she stays with us.” His eyes told Emma much more than his words ever could, and she shuddered visibly.
Gary reached out and put an arm around her shoulders.
“It’ll be all right,” he assured her. “Come on, we’re wasting time. We need to do this quickly.” He looked across at Sally and shook his head.
Emma fully understood what he was saying. Don’t scare the Squirt. She slowly nodded and they entered the house.
“Gary—”
“Yeah, I know,” he said quietly, following her gaze to the slashed sofa. “They’re still looking.”
He suddenly stopped, causing Emma to crash into his back.
“Gary?” She began to shake all over again.
“I’ve changed my mind.” Gary was frowning, and Emma followed his gaze, but couldn’t see what had spooked him. “Everyone outside and sit in the car, I’ve got some calls to make,” he said walking as he pulled out his mobile.
*
Sally was restless as they sat in the Cherokee waiting for Finn and Clay to arrive, but she finally settled as the four-wheel-drive began its journey.
“Why isn’t Uncle Gary driving?” Sally asked Clay as they headed toward the farm.
“He, uh, had something else he had to do.”
He glanced at Emma. “Are you coping with all this?” he asked, as he covered her hand with his own.
She smiled tentatively and nodded.
“Everything will work out fine,” he promised. “There’s something I need to tell you,” he said, squeezing her hand, “Trust Gary, no matter what.”
Emma looked up sharply. “What do you mean?”
Clay sighed long and hard. “Don’t ask questions,” he commanded, letting go of her hand. “Have faith in him, go with the flow. Gary can...fix things.”
Emma wondered what Clay meant, but didn’t get an opportunity to ask as they arrived at the homestead.
It was late, and Sally was hungry. To Emma’s surprise, Peggy was there and greeted them with a smile. Gary had previously explained she only came in for a few hours, a couple of days each week.
“I’ve prepared dinner and was about to leave,” she told them, wiping her hands on her apron. “Are you staying for dinner, Clay?”
“No. No, I’m not,” he answered distractedly. “But I would love a coffee.”
“Peggy needs to go home, Clay.” Emma intervened. She had questions she wanted answered. “I’ll make the coffee.”
Emma handed a cup over to Clay as she sat opposite him. “So, tell me everything I need to know.”
Clay squinted at her in concentration, reminding Emma of Gary. “Everything you need to know?”
She was sure he knew exactly what she meant, but obviously had no intentions of telling her anything without Gary’s say so.
Emma scrutinized Clay. She really hadn’t had the opportunity before tonight to give him a thorough once over.
He was very much like Gary to look at, but not as tall—he was about Joe’s height. He had the same strong jaw line, and long blonde hair, which he wore tied back in a tight little bun. She couldn’t imagine Gary ever doing that!
And those piercing blue eyes—he’d inherited them from Queenie. Joe’s were the same deep brown as Gary’s.
“Yes, everything,” she whispered conspiratorially. “You know, things Gary might not want me to know, like, say, how he fixes things.”
“Uncle Gary!”
Emma swung around in her seat, almost spilling her coffee. Great timing Gary!
Clay breathed an audible sigh of relief, causing Gary to stare at him momentarily.
“Hey, Squirt.” Gary dropped his parcels on the floor, and swung Sally up into his arms. “At least someone missed me!”
“Nice. You think I didn’t miss you?” Emma cheekily said, dodging when Gary tried to put his arm around her. “Yeah, well, Clay’s a good replacement.”
“Thanks, Clay.” Gary reached out and touched his brother’s shoulder. “I think I can handle these two ladies myself now.”
“Everything all right, Bro? At the house, I mean.”
Gary followed Clay to the front door. “Yeah, fine. For now.”
Clay leaned forward as Gary spoke in quiet undertones, then whispered something to Gary as he walked through the door. Emma strained to hear, but couldn’t make it out. Another damned secret!
Gary frowned at Clay, then closed the door behind him. “I’m starved.” He clapped his hands together. “Smells like Peggy’s been cooking casserole again!”
*
“Now that Sally’s tucked up in bed,” Gary gestured for Emma to sit down, “We need to talk.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Emma bit out, remembering Clay’s words.
“What’s gotten into you?” he asked, pulling her closer. “You seem, I dunno, distant.”
“Maybe because you seem, I dunno, secretive!”
“While we’re talking about secretive, maybe you could explain this little gadget?” He was across the room in four strides, and returned holding a small parcel wrapped in plain brown paper.
Frowning, Emma puzzled over the parcel. “What is it? It’s not mine, whatever it is.” She stood, trying to get a better look.
“Oh, it’s yours all right, I’m sure of that! It was wrapped up in your sexy black lingerie.”
He watched the color drain from Emma’s already pale face.
“Oh.” She flopped down onto the sofa.
Gary crossed the room and joined her quicker than he’d left her side. “Is that all you’ve got to say? What the hell were you thinking about?” He began to unwrap the parcel.
“Don’t. Please.” she begged. “What if Sal wakes up?”
“Answer me,” he demanded. “What were you thinking about? Where did you get it anyway—on the black market?”
He could feel the vein in his neck twitching, as it always did when he was angry.
“It was Ed’s,” she bit out, her expression turning from shock to anger in a matter of seconds. “What damned business is it of yours anyway!”
Gary let out a trail of profanities under his breath. “You’ve got a gun hidden in your underwear, and you think that’s okay?” He got up and paced the floor. “What the hell were you going to use it for? No, don’t answer, I don’t want to know.”
“Self-defense! I kept it to protect Sal and me.” She stood facing him, hands on her hips, standing her ground. “Anyway, I had lessons. I know how to use it.”
Exasperated, Gary threw his hands up in the air. “Well for your information, Miss High and Mighty.” He leaned menacingly toward her. “It’s illegal, totally illegal. You can’t have handguns in this country anymore.”
“I didn’t know,” Emma said quietly, as she started to back off.
“Besides, you told me there wasn’t any danger,” he said, closing the distance between them. “And we both know that’s wrong, don’t we?”
“All right, all right! Maybe I was wrong.” She turned away, determined not to let Gary get the better of her.
“Em,” Gary reached for her, but Emma was too quick. She was up the stairs and had closed her bedroom door in no time, Gary close on her heels.
“Em?” he said, pounding on the door. “Let me in. Please?” He could hear her moving about the room, apparently pacing. “I know you’re frightened, but we need to talk about this some more. Come on, let me in?”
He heard the muffled response through the door.
“What for? So you can bully me some more?”
“Let me in, and I promise not to bully you.”
“It’s unlocked.”
He opened the door and walked over to where Emma sat rigidly in an easy chair. As he knelt in front of her, he picked up her hands.
“You’re shaking.” He moved behind her and began to massage her shoulders.
Emma slumped into the chair. “Please get rid of the gun. I don’t want Sally to find it.”
“Consider it done.” He gently massaged his way up her neck.
“Mmmm...”
“You’re so tense,” he said as he continued to massage her tight muscles. “You need to relax.” Gary pulled Emma to her feet. “Come on, I know just the thing.”
“Where are we going?”
“Downstairs.”
“Downstairs?”
As they walked down the stairs in silence, Gary hooked his arm through Emma’s as though she needed him to support her. Which in a way she did. She might act tough, but he knew that underneath she was scared. Really scared.
“Sit down, Emma,” he told her, “This will only take a minute.”
Gary put some CD’s in the player, then took Emma by both hands. “Would you care to dance, Madame?” he asked, bending over in a mock bow, then pulling her against him as she stood.
Gary wrapped his arms around her as they danced, and smiled when Emma’s arms went up around his neck.
They slow danced together for what seemed an eternity, until finally Gary broke the silence. “I want you to know I’ll protect you and Sally. I’ll look after you both, always.”
“Always?” she whispered, looking up at him, tears pooling in her eyes.
“Always.”
As the music played, they danced to the gentle rhythm of the songs he had chosen—songs of love and seduction.
Emma sagged against him. “Ed told me the same thing, and look where that got me,” she finally blurted out, tears beginning to trickle down her face.
Gary gently lifted her chin with his fingers. As he studied her face he realized how much she had endured. This woman was breaking his heart with her problems, with her eyes, and with her whole being.
“Do you still love him?” His voice was so low it was barely audible.
Emma gripped his shirt with all the strength she could muster, and Gary felt her body tense beneath his touch.
“Do you?” He prayed she didn’t, but it was a chance he had to take.
“Love him?” Her face screwed up in agony. “I hate him, do you hear?” she yelled, pounding on his chest. “I hate him for stealing that money, I hate him for lying to me,” she spat, “and I hate him for everything he’s done to us.”
When he asked the question, Gary was prepared for almost anything. Emma’s answer gave him pause to think.
“And,” she continued, “I particularly hate him for putting me in a position to have to keep that blasted gun.”
Damn but she was strong! Gary had to grip Emma’s wrists to stop her from punching him again in her anger at her deceased husband.
“Emma, sweetheart,” he said, trying to calm her, “I’ll help you through this, I promise.”
“No one can help me,” she sobbed, “I’m beyond help.”
Emma slowly sank to her knees on the carpeted floor. Gary followed her down, wrapping his arms around her.
“Come on, time for bed I think,” he began, when she was spent.
“I don’t think—”
“I didn’t mean that, but...” He grinned at her, trying to lighten the mood. “Seriously though, you need to relax. You climb into bed, and I’ll give you a massage.”
They silently climbed the stairs, and Emma directed Gary to her massage oils. She was lying in bed, waiting, when he came back. He could feel the vein in his neck ticking again.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, a puzzled look on her face.
“What the hell’s this?” He was holding a bottle of hair dye.
“Oh, that. I’m sure you can see for yourself what it is.”
“So what’s this?” he asked, running his hands through her long brown hair. “Some kind of disguise? What color is it then, blonde, black?”
“Red.”
“Red? You’re a red-head?” This was one possibility he hadn’t thought about.
“Yeah, real easy to pick out in the crowd.” She laughed, almost hysterically, and Gary sat on the bed next to her.
“And Sally?” He was suddenly feeling guilty for his childish outburst.
“Blonde.”
“I’m sorry, Em. I guess I have no idea what you’re going through, or what you’ve been through.” He leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead. “And I certainly have no right to judge you. Forgive me?”
“Depends.”
“On what?”
“On how good that massage is.”
Gary left the room when Emma finally fell asleep. He could feel the tension leave her body as he worked the oils into her back muscles.
This had to be the hardest night of his life.
Touching her like that, seeing her half naked, and not being able to do a damn thing about it.
But he wasn’t going to rush her. No, he definitely wasn’t going to rush her. She needed to make up her own mind, tell him when she was ready to come to his bed.
Chapter 4
“Don't be so pigheaded.” Emma flicked her hair back over her shoulder as she sat drinking coffee. “I have to go into town. Sally starts kindergarten today, and I have to sign the lease.”
“I’ll ring Porter.” He reached for her hand, then gently stroked it. “He’ll bring it here if I ask him.”
“No! I just told you, Sal’s got kindergarten. Besides I’m not hiding myself away anymore.”
“I shouldn’t have asked Finn to bring your car out here,” he admonished himself. “At least then you wouldn’t have transport.”
Emma tried to leave the room, but Gary blocked the doorway with his body.
“Let me pass. Please? I don’t want to argue.”
“Okay, but don’t be long,” Emma sank against him as he pulled her toward him. “If you’re not back by one o’clock, I’ll come looking!”
Besides, he thought, you’ll be shadowed by one of my men.
“I’ll be well back by then. Kindergarten finishes at eleven.” She ducked as he tried to brush her lips with a light kiss.
“See ya, Squirt,” Gary called, waving to the tot. “Enjoy your first day at kindergarten.”
“Bye, Uncle Gary.” Sally was dragging Emma toward the front door. “I’ll tell you all about it when we come home. Bye!”
Gary watched as the white Datsun disappeared down the drive, made some quick phone calls, and arranged another meeting.
Things had changed dramatically since Sunday’s gathering.
*
“So, exactly what did you tell her, big brother?” Finn asked.
“Exactly?” Gary queried.
“Yeah, exactly.”
“Well,” Gary began, “Er, nothing!”
Finn slapped his knee. “Whoa—she’s not gonna like that!”
Gary shrugged his shoulders. “She’ll never know, so what does it matter?” He looked around the room. They were all there—his two brothers, Jake Ramsay, and long-time friend and cop, David Connolly. Pete Carson, his ex-partner was also there. “Okay, here’s the plan—Finn, I want you to watch out for Sally. David, I’ll convince Emma she needs a receptionist—”
